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The differences between project engineers and electrical engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a project engineer, becoming an electrical engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an electrical engineer has an average salary of $81,026, which is higher than the $75,050 average annual salary of a project engineer.
The top three skills for a project engineer include project management, autocad and construction management. The most important skills for an electrical engineer are autocad, electrical systems, and UL.
| Project Engineer | Electrical Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $75,050 | $81,026 |
| Hourly rate | $36.08 | $38.95 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 176,689 | 68,536 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 41 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
A Project Engineer develops the plan that the entire team or company will undertake. The project engineer develops the plans, strategies, and goals of a project and then gives it to the management for approval and allocation. The Project Engineer will also recommend material, equipment, and the type of personnel needed. This position is integral in the smooth flow of any project, so hiring someone to hold this position will decide the success of a project.
Electrical engineers are responsible for designing and developing new electrical systems, solving issues, and testing equipment. They work on various technologies, including telecommunication systems, satellite communications, and electrical power stations. Electrical engineers study and apply the mathematics and physics of electromagnetism, electronics, and electricity to small and large-scale electrical systems to transmit energy and process information. They often work with all types of electronic devices, such as supercomputers and power transmission. They also work in the emerging field of microelectronics.
Project engineers and electrical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Project Engineer | Electrical Engineer | |
| Average salary | $75,050 | $81,026 |
| Salary range | Between $55,000 And $100,000 | Between $59,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | Richmond, CA | Redmond, WA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Apple | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Technology |
There are a few differences between a project engineer and an electrical engineer in terms of educational background:
| Project Engineer | Electrical Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between project engineers' and electrical engineers' demographics:
| Project Engineer | Electrical Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9% | Male, 90.0% Female, 10.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 14.5% White, 68.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 16.2% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 6% |